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Former Defense Minister announce possible presidential run

Mohamed Rehan
02 August 2022, MVT 20:37
The acting leader of Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim-- Photo: Mihaaru
Mohamed Rehan
02 August 2022, MVT 20:37

Former Defense Minister and the acting leader of Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim announces his possible presidential candidacy for 2023.

Nazim confirmed him contending in the party's primary to local news media Mihaaru. He claims he would contend in the following year's elections if he lands a win in the party's primary.

He states it was the party's patriotic responsibility to step up during the current political climate.

The party is expected to announce the primary during its congress, which is slated for September 2022.

If Nazim lands the win from MNP's primary, he will likely be contesting against incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who has expressed that he wishes to run for a second term. However, Solih can run for president only if he wins internal election held by Maldives Democratic Party to elect a candidate. Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has said he too will be running in MDP’s primary election.

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen is expected to contend in the 2023 presidential elections as well. The former head of state accepted opposition coalition's offer for presidential candidacy.

Famed local businessman and politician Gasim Ibrahim, who currently belongs to the ruling party's coalition, has not announced his aspiration to contest in the election.

However, Gasim Ibrahim's political party; Jumhoory Party (JP) is expected to announce their candidate for the elections as well.

Founder of Sun Siyam Resorts and the leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) Ahmed Siyam had earlier announced his decision to run for presidency as well.

Siyam in his announcement for contesting in the presidential election stressed on the economic predicament of the Maldives, which requires adequate policy making.

He also asserted on maintaining the Islamic principles upon which the country's governance was formed on. Siyam alleged the current administration had failed in upholding this.

Nazim found his political party after a hiatus from his political career, alongside like minded parliament MPs.

The former defense minister and party sentimentalists perceive the ideologies of the two leading parties as 'extreme ideals.'

Nazim is hopeful that the party's appointed candidate will most likely win the upcoming presidential election. He also claims that the only party capable of honoring pledges to the public was MNP.

The party is attempting to increase its general membership count to 10,000 before the end of 2022 and reach 20,000 by the election next year.

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